NRL expert tips and predictions: round 26
The final round of the NRL's regular season promises to be an exciting affair with nine teams fighting it out for a position in the top eight and the action is also going to be just as intense for our Wide World of Sports footy tipsters.
Having been a tearaway leader for most of the season, Freddy now finds himself in a three-way battle at the top of the table with Wally and Gus after a disappointing round, while his old mate Joey hasn't given up hope of chasing him down either after closing the gap to two points.
It's a scenario that could force some tipsters into their shell but Freddy is approaching the final round with the confidence he displayed on the field, starting with the blockbuster between Brisbane and North Queensland in Townsville, live and free on Channel Nine on Thursday night.
Brisbane's Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford were left stunned by the heavy loss to Parramatta. (AAP)
The fact that the Broncos were walloped by Parramatta the previous round didn’t prove much of a deterrent for Freddy, who was confident they could get the job done against their fierce rivals.
"I need a win," Fittler said.
"It's not going to affect me if I don't win but if I do win I'll feel really good over summer.
"I think Brisbane have got a bit of an advantage. Ofahengaue comes back, Kahu goes back into the side, Pangai Jnr, Benji and Ese'ese. I reckon that's their best bench so I'm going to go Brisbane."
Fittler's tip opened the door for Johns (who seemed happy to channel recently returned tennis star Maria Sharapova to spark his own comeback), who thought the Cowboys could overcome a horrific injury toll to secure a spot in the finals.
"I'm going to go for the Cowboys in this one," Johns said.
"Brisbane stumbled a little bit last week. These two teams always play an epic so I'm going to the Cowboys in a tight one."
Turning his attention to the Manly and Penrith match at Lottoland, who both need to win to secure a finals spot, Freddy elected to go for the Sea Eagles in the knowledge that Gus would tip the Panthers in line with his role as general manager of the club.
Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans celebrates after kicking the match-winning field goal against the Warriors. (AAP)
"Gus is going to have to go with his heart," Fittler said.
"No Moylan, Dean Whare is a really good in, he'll play fullback.
"I think they're paddling a little bit at the moment, Penrith. Like Manly.
"Penrith are going to have to go down Pittwater Road which is a bit of a nightmare.
"I think Manly. Sorry Gussy but this is where I can get you mate."
However, Freddy wasn't the only one looking to grab an advantage with Johns seizing on another opportunity to pounce.
"I'm going to go the Panthers here," Johns said.
"The Eagles have really got the stumbles late in the season.
"I think everyone thought they'd be down the bottom of the table and they've really overachieved so I'll go the Panthers."
Having already differed on two tips which would level things up if they went Joey's way, he only needed one more to have a shot at taking the outright lead after spending most of the season on the back foot. Watch both videos to find out if he did.
LEADERBOARD
Freddy 113
Gus 113
Wally 113
Joey 111
Locky 110
Freddy
See video above
Gus
Cowboys
Eels
Roosters
Panthers
Storm
Sharks
Dragons
Tigers
Wally
Broncos
Eels
Roosters
Sea Eagles
Storm
Sharks
Dragons
Tigers
Joey
See video below
Locky
Broncos
Eels
Roosters
Sea Eagles
Storm
Sharks
Dragons
Tigers
